Random Thoughts Part 4 - Split Thread

[dlgoff]

This episode (Gasping for Air) of Secret Space Escapes is blowing my mind.

A toxic leak threatens the lives of astronauts; a crew suffers from depressurization; and an engine malfunctions at takeoff.

 

[lisab]

Just got back from Costa Rica. My new favorite drink is rum .

Not a non sequitur.

 

[WWGD]

Just got back from Costa Rica. My new favorite drink is rum .

Not a non sequitur.

Wild partying, or water not trustworthy (or something else)? I've heard good things about C.R; only country without an army, for one.

 

[fresh_42]

Wild partying, or water not trustworthy (or something else)? I've heard good things about C.R; only country without an army, for one.

I think Iceland has neither. And they are in the NATO. Ingenious.

 

[WWGD]

I think Iceland has neither.

Neither? No army and what else? Iceland may be too far out to be of strategic interest. No oil either, and maybe part of Nato?

 

[fresh_42]

Neither? No army and what else? Iceland may be too far out to be of strategic interest. No oil either, and maybe part of Nato?

Yep. I lack a little bit of grip on the usage of neither.

 

[lisab]

Wild partying, or water not trustworthy (or something else)? I've heard good things about C.R; only country without an army, for one.

Yeah they're very proud of that. But it's a small country - about the size of West Virginia or Denmark. Not sure if the police are a national organization or local, but there are plenty. We came upon a checkstop where we were ordered by unsmiling officers to show our passports.

Come to think of it, none of the law enforcement officers I saw on the whole trip were smiling...but lawdy, every other Tico was. What a beautiful place, and what great people!

 

[WWGD]

Yeah they're very proud of that. But it's a small country - about the size of West Virginia or Denmark. Not sure if the police are a national organization or local, but there are plenty. We came upon a checkstop where we were ordered by unsmiling officers to show our passports.

Come to think of it, none of the law enforcement officers I saw on the whole trip were smiling...but lawdy, every other Tico was. What a beautiful place, and what great people!

Most prosperous and peaceful place in a dangerous and troubled region with guerrillas and inner fighting. I would like to visit.

 

[WWGD]

Yep. I lack a little bit of grip on the usage of neither.

Are you Icelandic?

 

[fresh_42]

Are you Icelandic?

Unfortunately not. They almost run completely on renewable energy, have a nice culture with their fairies and goblins. But the language is horror!

 

[lisab]

Most prosperous and peaceful place in a dangerous and troubled region with guerrillas and inner fighting. I would like to visit.

Indeed. They've done a fantastic job.

Just don't drive at night unless you know where you're going, because the names of the roads aren't marked. Oh, and there are dogs, chickens, bicycles, horses, children, mopeds, pedestrians, goats, buses driven by maniacs, and iguana all out in the evening hours and beyond.

Plus the speed limit changes every kilometer. But no worries, sweetie -- the place is truly magical.

 

[fresh_42]

Plus the speed limit changes every kilometer.

Strange. I had this feeling in the US, too.

 

[WWGD]

Unfortunately not. They almost run completely on renewable energy, have a nice culture with their fairies and goblins. But the language is horror!

Whole country is the size of a smallish town , around 350,000. Wonder what life in such a small population would be like. Eben stranger, I assume would be to live in those island nations of around 10-20 square miles, where you can never walk more than a few miles without hitting the edge of the country (meaning here the sea), your whole life taking place within less than 2 miles from your home.

 

[fresh_42]

Iceland is not that small. And you can jump between America and Europe! What is really weird is their rotten shark that they eat.

 

[WWGD]

Iceland is not that small. And you can jump between America and Europe! What is really weird is their rotten shark that they eat.

I meant small population-wise, whole country has around 350,000 people.

 

[fresh_42]

But that might be a cure for you. Once you've tried their rotten shark you will never ever again complain about your sausages

 

[DiracPool]

I just started getting into the "gourmet bread" thing. Lately, I've been dropping 6 dollars a loaf. Wait, that did not come out right...I mean the store has been pinching me for 6 dollars a loaf..That didn't come out right either. In any case, I've been paying 6 dollars for a loaf of Dave's killer "Powerseed" bread. It says on the label that it's only sweetened with fruit juices, apple, pear, and orange I think. And everything in it is organic and GLUTEN FREE! Not that I care, they can put the gluten back in and charge me a dollar or two less, that's fine with me. Most of the cheaper breads have sugar or high fructose corn syrup in them or at best, molasses. When you hit 40, I think you start reading the food labels more.

Dave's killer bread is delicious, that's why I buy it. Even though it's 6 dollars a loaf I typically end up eating the whole loaf whereas with the cheaper bread I typically end up throwing out the majority of the loaf, so that's how I justify paying the extra money. The only concern I have is that Dave is a criminal. That's why he calls it "killer" bread. He did 15 years in prison for god knows what and he boasts that 1/3 of his employees are ex-prisoners. That kind of makes me a little uncomfortable because I don't want some ex-con brewing some "surprise" in my slice. However, the other bread companies haven't risen to the challenge yet, so, for now, I guess I'just have to take that chance..

 

[DiracPool]

I want to appeal to those individuals in this community that are 40 years of age or over. My question is that, do you notice that as you get older songs seem to stick in your head for longer than when you were younger? When I was in my teens and 20's, I used to get songs stuck in my head all the time, but typically they'd only get stuck for a day or two and then I'd get a different song stuck in my head. These days I get songs stuck in my head for a week or two at a time!

My apologies, but I am going to torment you with the latest ear-candy song I can't seem to ditch:

 

[WWGD]

I just started getting into the "gourmet bread" thing. Lately, I've been dropping 6 dollars a loaf. Wait, that did not come out right...I mean the store has been pinching me for 6 dollars a loaf..That didn't come out right either. In any case, I've been paying 6 dollars for a loaf of Dave's killer "Powerseed" bread. It says on the label that it's only sweetened with fruit juices, apple, pear, and orange I think. And everything in it is organic and GLUTEN FREE! Not that I care, they can put the gluten back in and charge me a dollar or two less, that's fine with me. Most of the cheaper breads have sugar or high fructose corn syrup in them or at best, molasses. When you hit 40, I think you start reading the food labels more.

Dave's killer bread is delicious, that's why I buy it. Even though it's 6 dollars a loaf I typically end up eating the whole loaf whereas with the cheaper bread I typically end up throwing out the majority of the loaf, so that's how I justify paying the extra money. The only concern I have is that Dave is a criminal. That's why he calls it "killer" bread. He did 15 years in prison for god knows what and he boasts that 1/3 of his employees are ex-prisoners. That kind of makes me a little uncomfortable because I don't want some ex-con brewing some "surprise" in my slice. However, the other bread companies haven't risen to the challenge yet, so, for now, I guess I'just have to take that chance..

Have you ever bought an "escape loaf" meant for someone else? I mean, a loaf that contains equipment to help the recipient escape? Plenty of iron on that loaf, I would say. And I assume you're not using euphemisms when you refer to Dave "pinching your loaf" :) (any statement can be made into innuendo).

 

[WWGD]

Indeed. They've done a fantastic job.

Just don't drive at night unless you know where you're going, because the names of the roads aren't marked. Oh, and there are dogs, chickens, bicycles, horses, children, mopeds, pedestrians, goats, buses driven by maniacs, and iguana all out in the evening hours and beyond.

Plus the speed limit changes every kilometer. But no worries, sweetie -- the place is truly magical.

Just curious, can you get by without a car in San Jose, I mean, is public transportation good-enough for that?

 

[DiracPool]

And I assume you're not using euphemisms when you refer to Dave "pinching your loaf" :) (any statement can be made into innuendo).

Thank you for the visualization of my cellmate, Dave, pinching off my loaf. I really didn't that, WWGD If you don't watch yourself, I'm going to give you another disco song you'll never be able to get out of your head

 

[WWGD]

Thank you for the visualization of my cellmate, Dave, pinching off my loaf. I really didn't that, WWGD

Yes, sorry, I was a bit bored and resorted to cheap jokes :).

 

[dlgoff]

My new favorite drink is rum .

You lucky girl. Welcome home.

I can visualize this growing around your apple trees,

which you turn into this,

then distill into this,

 

[WWGD]

You lucky girl. Welcome home.

I can visualize this growing around your apple trees,

which you turn into this,

then distill into this,

So it seems like Don likes Ron (Centenario, at least).

 

[Silicon Waffle]

One is to push, sadden or anger, the other is to appease.
One says relax, the other asks for contributed efforts, weekly, monthly, yearly.

 

[dkotschessaa]

Unfortunately not. They almost run completely on renewable energy, have a nice culture with their fairies and goblins. But the language is horror!

I found out that a lot of the music I've really been into lately is from Iceland. Beautiful, introspective, stuff. Must be the goblins.

 

[Silicon Waffle]

I found out that a lot of the music I've really been into lately is from Iceland. Beautiful, introspective, stuff. Must be the goblins.

It's strange to me that one prefers a type of music that some others don't. Is it just all about their current mood and aging issue ?
I like sounds of mandolin, cello, and violin in sad country songs.

 

[WWGD]

I found out that a lot of the music I've really been into lately is from Iceland. Beautiful, introspective, stuff. Must be the goblins.

I am not familiar with it, where do you listen to it? I barely remember that Bjork from the 90s. Never heard her music though.

 

[WWGD]

Finally starting to get how joins work in relational database.

 

[WWGD]

After using sugar substitutes like Splenda and Equal for a while, it takes around 6 regular sugars to sweeten my coffee, instead of the 2 it used to take.

 

[JorisL]

How big are those regular sugars?
Also how much coffee are we talking about?

 

[WWGD]

How big are those regular sugars?
Also how much coffee are we talking about?

Hi, sorry deleted the post. I am talking a double shot of espresso, standard coffee shop size (at least in the US),
the sugars I would say are around 8 grams each, also standard coffee shop individual serving sizes;
I don't know if these sizes are different in Europe , or at least in Belgium, but I will look it up, to get the
numbers. It is the size you would find in Starbucks, which I imagine has stores all over the world.

 

[dlgoff]

... it takes around 6 regular sugars to sweeten my coffee, ...

Normal way for me to wake up in the morning. Splenda, Equal?

 

[WWGD]

Normal way for me to wake up in the morning. Splenda, Equal?

Yes, I know, it may not be the best healthwise. But it is difficult to resist the constant demonizing of sugar. Sugar as the source
of all evil. I may reintroduce regular sugar from time-to-time.

 

[dlgoff]

Sugar as the source
of all evil.

I've always wondered why sugar is thought of this way. Doesn't lots of food end up as a form of sugar anyway?

 

[WWGD]

I've always wondered why sugar is thought of this way. Don't lots of food end up as a form of sugar anyway?

I think it is mostly the simple sugars, which have a high glycemic index, i.e., cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. These are supposedly responsible for an increase in Diabetes. I think this is the way it is laid out. But my knowledge of Biochem. is too rudimentary (meaning, really, non-existent) to make an effective evaluation of the arguments.

 

[dlgoff]

I think it is mostly the simple sugars, which have a high glycemic index, i.e., cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. These are supposedly responsible for an increase in Diabetes. I think this is the way it is laid out. But my knowledge of Biochem. is too rudimentary (meaning, really, non-existent) to make an effective evaluation of the arguments.

Thanks for your effort. I guess I'm too lazy or afraid to look.

 

[WWGD]

Thanks for your effort. I guess I'm too lazy or afraid to look.

Let's hope we are both general health equivalents to Winston Churchill, who smoked almost daily, was overweight and still lived till his 90's. There is something to be said for not worrying too much -- that may be our edge.

 

[dkotschessaa]

It's strange to me that one prefers a type of music that some others don't. Is it just all about their current mood and aging issue ?

I like sounds of mandolin, cello, and violin in sad country songs.

I hope it's not rude to answer an inquiry with a link, but here you go: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology_of_music_preference

Huge topic!

 

[dkotschessaa]

I am not familiar with it, where do you listen to it? I barely remember that Bjork from the 90s. Never heard her music though.

It started when I was watching the Netflix series "Broadchurch" which featured some very sad and beautiful music by composer
Ólafur Arnalds, who is from Iceland.
I plugged his name into my Pandora app one day and got his music and a bunch of other stuff that at first I found so heartbreaking that I had to stop awhile. Picked it up again later and "discovered" the "post rock" genre, a lot of which is from Iceland but much of which is from, for whatever reason, Texas, such as Explosions in the Sky and bands with fun names like This will Destroy You. (Also from Texas). But Sigor Ros is another one from Iceland (ok, tired of hyperlinking, sorry). And yes, it turns out I like Bjork, though I never gave her a chance back in the day, and still haven't really dove in just yet.

-Dave K

 

[WWGD]

It started when I was watching the Netflix series "Broadchurch" which featured some very sad and beautiful music by composer
Ólafur Arnalds, who is from Iceland.
I plugged his name into my Pandora app one day and got his music and a bunch of other stuff that at first I found so heartbreaking that I had to stop awhile. Picked it up again later and "discovered" the "post rock" genre, a lot of which is from Iceland but much of which is from, for whatever reason, Texas, such as Explosions in the Sky and bands with fun names like This will Destroy You. (Also from Texas). But Sigor Ros is another one from Iceland (ok, tired of hyperlinking, sorry). And yes, it turns out I like Bjork, though I never gave her a chance back in the day, and still haven't really dove in just yet.

-Dave K

Maybe we can reverse-engineer your personality type using this post together with your Wikipedia link on music and personality dispositions.

 

[dkotschessaa]

Let's hope we are both general health equivalents to Winston Churchill, who smoked almost daily, was overweight and still lived till his 90's. There is something to be said for not worrying too much -- that may be our edge.

My nutritional (but non chemical) understanding is that yes, simple sugars break down more quickly, causing blood sugar spikes, causing insulin to release, and generally making a mess of things. Starches are, I think, slightly less "simple"; simple carbs break down more slowly than sugar, but complex carbs break down more slowly than simple carbs. Fat is the slowest burning, which is why I need to eat lots of it to keep my energy going, since I apparently make too much insulin. It gives me an excuse to indulge my obsession with peanut butter. ("natural" of course, the no sugar kind).

 

[WWGD]

My nutritional (but non chemical) understanding is that yes, simple sugars break down more quickly, causing blood sugar spikes, causing insulin to release, and generally making a mess of things. Starches are, I think, slightly less "simple"; simple carbs break down more slowly than sugar, but complex carbs break down more slowly than simple carbs. Fat is the slowest burning, which is why I need to eat lots of it to keep my energy going, since I apparently make too much insulin. It gives me an excuse to indulge my obsession with peanut butter. ("natural" of course, the no sugar kind).

But problem with fat, from the little I know, is that it has a negative energy impact on your system: it takes more energy to break it down than it produces after broken down. But it becomes more complicated , since there are good fats and bad fats; saturated, unsaturated, mono-unsaturated, etc.

 

[JorisL]

For a 20 cl cuppa I use 1 sugar* cube of 1.4g. The way I brew my coffee is to take about 6 big scoops of coffee for a pot of coffee.
Don't know about the standard serving sizes at starbucks here, haven't tried that coffee either.
Earliest possible moment I'll try it is weeks from now.

* Just found out it's part cane sugar and part sweetener in the form of sucralose (which incidentally is an ingredient of splenda according to the wiki)

 

[dkotschessaa]

Maybe we can reverse-engineer your personality type using this post together with your Wikipedia link on music and personality dispositions.

If you heard this music and met me personally I think you'd find it a bit puzzling. I've been into this music for about 3 months and most people who know me find it out of character for me. I've only been into this music about 3 months. I was in a metal band in high school, but then I played and studied jazz guitar for 10 years and then classical guitar for the next 10 years, and though I have varied, varied interests, am generally a class-A music snob, thumbing my nose at anything that comes out of the TV or Radio or is too repetitive or pop-like, or really anything that is not at least 20 years old.

And yet for some reason I am liking these pop-ish bands that have been coming out in the last few years...

 

[dkotschessaa]

But problem with fat, from the little I know, is that it has a negative energy impact on your system: it takes more energy to break it down than it produces after broken down. But it becomes more complicated , since there are good fats and bad fats; saturated, unsaturated, mono-unsaturated, etc.

Which is why initially I was put on an "induction" phase, a bit like what atkins dieters do, to make my body burn fat preferentially or something like that. It is something I probably need to do again. I am not really sure of the science.

 

[WWGD]

If you heard this music and met me personally I think you'd find it a bit puzzling. I've been into this music for about 3 months and most people who know me find it out of character for me. I've only been into this music about 3 months. I was in a metal band in high school, but then I played and studied jazz guitar for 10 years and then classical guitar for the next 10 years, and though I have varied, varied interests, am generally a class-A music snob, thumbing my nose at anything that comes out of the TV or Radio or is too repetitive or pop-like, or really anything that is not at least 20 years old.

And yet for some reason I am liking these pop-ish bands that have been coming out in the last few years...

Agreed; I don't need to have all music be complex all the time. There is something to be said for simplicity. A fried egg, beans, etc. Same for me when it comes down to music. But going back to the issue of music preference, it would be interesting to understand how a popular song can appear to all different combinations of personality types.

 

[WWGD]

For a 20 cl cuppa I use 1 sugar* cube of 1.4g. The way I brew my coffee is to take about 6 big scoops of coffee for a pot of coffee.
Don't know about the standard serving sizes at starbucks here, haven't tried that coffee either.
Earliest possible moment I'll try it is weeks from now.

* Just found out it's part cane sugar and part sweetener in the form of sucralose (which incidentally is an ingredient of splenda according to the wiki)

The science behind these sugar substitutes does not seem to be very clear. Modern times, you know, the thrill of having all this data available and the agony of filtering out the noise and the trash in order to get to the useful stuff.

 

[rootone]

I'm sure a lot of 'pop' music is deliberately formulated to appeal to what statistically are common preferences.
How many pop songs are less then two minutes long or more than three?
How many pop songs dare to venture outside of 4/4 time - well apart from the increasing tendency for them to sound more like 1/1

 

[WWGD]

I'm sure a lot of 'pop' music is deliberately formulated to appeal to what statistically are common preferences.
How many pop songs are less then two minutes long or more than three?
How many pop songs dare to venture outside of 4/4 time - well apart from the increasing tendency for them to sound more like 1/1

Indeed, there are actual formulas for producing hit songs based on this, on Statistical Analysis. People are more predictable than they are willing to admit/accept. Similar attitudes by people towards adevertisement: " It doesn't affect me". Nonsense, it is such a large sector for a good reason: it works.